LYNN — Matt Severance’s ultimate goal as quarterback of the English football team was to lead the Bulldogs to a state championship. He came close last fall when English reached the Division 3 North final but lost to Tewksbury. They tried again this season, but fell short after a loss to Danvers in the Division 3 North semifinal.
Despite the shortcomings, Severance has a shot to end his high school football career on a winning note when English meets Classical Thursday at Manning Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 10 a.m.
“I’ve played in every single game,” said Severance, who carries a 4.02 GPA. “I never thought this moment was ever going to come. I want to cherish every moment I have on the field. I only have 44 minutes left.”
Ending on a high note, however, won’t be easy with the red-hot Rams standing in English’s way. Classical, on a five-game win streak, has played its best football as of late.
“I think they’re a good team,” Severance said. “They have a lot of good athletes. Keith (Ridley) is a really good quarterback. They’re rolling right now. They’ve beaten some top-tier teams pretty convincingly. We’re not underestimating them. We’re ready.”
A four-year starter at quarterback, and two-way player who leads English’s defense at safety, Severance took over under center as a freshman. Consecutive losing seasons in 2015 and 2016 were tough to digest at English but the growing pains paid dividends as Severance and his teammates progressed.
“Matt, from his freshman to senior year, has made tremendous strides,” English coach Chris Carroll said. “Some of the biggest strides are the ways he prepares for games and seasons. He gets his body in the best shape possible. He’s as prepared as anybody can be for a high school football game. He leads our team day in and day out.”
Severance will leave English as the program’s all-time leading passer. He broke
the record, previously held by Carroll, in a Week 5 win over Swampscott.
“I was tremendously proud of him,” said Carroll, a 2006 English graduate. “That’s not something he even thought about. He worked hard to win games. To see him break it, knowing how much hard work he put in here, I was very proud of him and very fortunate to be able to coach him.”
This season, Severance has thrown for 1,450 yards and 14 touchdowns. On the ground he has tallied 302 yards and nine touchdowns. Defensively, his 102 tackles and four interceptions make him one of the top safeties in the Northeastern Conference.
“This is my fourth year doing this and this is Matt’s fourth year playing,” Carroll said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to coach one quarterback all four years. There’s definitely an element of soaking in being with this senior class one last time. It’s a special class for me and Matt’s a special player. He’s led the charge in bringing this program to where it is now. I appreciate everything Matt’s done for the program.”
Severance said the relationships he built with his coaches and teammates are what he’ll miss most when it’s all said and done.
“The culture that English brings with teammates and coaches, I feel it’s a whole family bond,” he said. “From other teams and past experiences, not every team’s like that. Every English team brings that vibe and same feeling.
“The coaches have had a tremendous impact. They started as a staff when I was a freshman. We started together. It was kind of like we grew together. They’ve always had my back. They taught me more than football; life, family, trust. I’ll take that to next level and throughout life.”
That includes longtime assistant coach Bill Dutch, who has been away from the team this season because of medical issues.
“Coach Dutch has had a big impact on me, on and off the field,” Severance said. “He hasn’t been around us this season. I love him.”
With one more game on his plate, Severance will try to make the most of it.
“I’ll never wear this jersey again,” he said. “It’s going to be a different feeling after this. I’m going to have to enjoy every second I get, like I have. It’s going to be wild on Thursday.”
